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They moved through the sitting room and into a large bedchamber. Ashtine was propped up in the bed, and Talwyn was there. Scarlett was not surprised. She was one of the queen’s closest friends, despite everything. Talwyn held a cup for Ashtine to drink from before setting it aside.

“I will give you all some time and fetch some food,” Talwyn said, nodding at Scarlett and Sorin before she slipped out of the room.

Ashtine held a babe, and Arantxa was moving to Briar with another small bundle in her arms. The Witches were the only beings entrusted to deliver Fae babes. Juliette had been here to learn, but Arantxa would have delivered them.

Briar was taking the babe and moving to the bed, climbing atop it beside Ashtine before he beckoned them closer. Sorin’s hand fell to the small of her back as they moved forward together, and when she was close enough to see them, Scarlett’s breath caught.

“They are beautiful,” she whispered.

“They are,” Ashtine lilted with a soft smile. She looked utterly exhausted, and Arantxa was staying nearby, seeming to monitor her closely.

A mix of their mother’s pale complexion and their father’s dark skin, warm tawny faces peeked out from the blankets they were bundled in. They both had pale hair, although one was more silver like Ashtine’s while the other was the pale blonde of Briar.

Briar nodded to the babe Ashtine held. “Prince Nakoa, Heir to the Water Court and the Western Courts.”

Scarlett swallowed when Ashtine extended the babe to her. She took him, cradling him close as he slept soundly.

“Princess Sawyer, Heir to the Wind Court and the Eastern Courts,” Briar said, passing the babe to Sorin.

Tears immediately sprang to Scarlett’s eyes at seeing Sorin bring the babe close.

“Hello, Sawyer,” Sorin murmured.

The babe Scarlett held shifted a little, a small sound coming from him as a tear slipped down her cheek. “Welcome to the world, Nakoa,” she whispered.

Something in her chest loosened as she stared at the babe in wonder.

For them.

She had saved this world for them. For the future Fae babes and mortal children. The twins making it to the world safe and sound was like the final piece of the game finally settling into place. The final victory to claim.

“You made it,” she murmured to the tiny prince as he managed to work a hand free of his blanket. “We made it.”

Sorin had moved closer, and she looked up at him, his features so soft and adoring as he cradled the newborn princess. “We made it,” he echoed. “What now, Love?”

She hummed. “A wise, ancient sage once told me it is important to take time to enjoy the stars.”

“Did he now?” Sorin said with a soft huff of laughter.

She looked back down at the babe before meeting his golden gaze once more. “Now we live, Sorin. We live, and we make sure the stars never go out.”